Canadian resident sentenced to death for writing a computer program

[Jack]

Last week, the Iranian Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence for computer programmer Saeed Malekpour, whose photography program was used without his knowledge, to upload pornography to the internet.

Canadian resident Mr Malekpour was arrested while visiting his dying father in Iran during October 2008. He was held in solitary confinement in Tehran's Evin Prison for a year without charge, according to Amnesty.

He made confessions, which were later televised, to his charges, which according to the EFF include "acting against national security through propaganda" and "production and publication of obscene materials through computer systems".

However, in a letter sent from the prison in March 2010, Mr Malekpour states, he retracted these confessions, stating they had been given under duress after prolonged interrogation and torture by the "Revolutionary Guards Cyber Counterattack" team. He also wrote that he still not been allowed to visit his lawyer.

A Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death in October 2010 for his alleged confessions but the Supreme Court later overturned the sentence. When referred back to the same Revolutionary Court for reassessment, the death sentence was reinstated.

Last week, the Supreme Court approved this execution.

Read more ..

 

[Jack]

He made confessions, which were later televised, to his charges, which according to the EFF include "acting against national security through propaganda" and "production and publication of obscene materials through computer systems".

What a country!!!
Firstly you have to feel sorry for Saeed Malekpour as he'll die for something that in most countries is normal and secondly for the people who live in Iran as I'm sure other abuses like this happen everyday.....

 

[Prorootect]

'What a country!!!'


Terrible totalitarian government, so ..

Very sad; Iranian people are in very sad situation.

 

[Valentin N]

Our world is strange

 

[Deleted member 178]

our world is not strange, the rulers are...

 

[Valentin N]

our world is not strange, the rulers are...

true, we make it strange.

 

[MetalShaun]

This is a country that still stones people to death for adultery and apostasy to name a few. All because of wacky beliefs. This is the 21st century not the bronze age.

 

[Prorootect]

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'Free Saeed Malekpour' on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Free.Saeed.Malekpour

QUOTE of the last post:
'Death sentence proceeds for software designer:

Radio Zamaneh: Independent Media, Debate and E-learn: www.radiozamaneh.com/english/

The Human Rights House of Iran (RAHANA) reports that Malekpour, a software designer charged with creating indecent and pornographic websites, is now in imminent danger of being hanged. His lawyers have reported that his sentence has been delivered for execution. '

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[Gnosis]

In a country as screwed up as Iran, if he must be punished, I can see him getting the knout, or taking 20 lashes from a bull whip, but hanging????

 

[Prorootect]

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facebook 'Free Saeed Malekpour':

'Urgent Appeals Needed: Saeed Malekpour Risks Death at Any Moment!

... “International community only hope to prevent execution”

Saeed Malekpour, a Canadian Resident from Iran who has been living with the threat of death in Evin prison since October 2008, can be executed at any moment. When Saeed Malekpour’s lawyers visited the Revolutionary Court two days ago to follow up on their client’s case file, they discovered that the file containing the death sentence ruling was no longer there, and it was not in the possession of the Supreme Court either. Saeed Malekpour’s lawyers were informed that this only meant that the case file was sent to the Circuit Court for Execution of Sentences.

One of the lawyers said: “If we [Saeed's lawyers] had a chance to review the case file, then we would have been able to prevent the execution of the sentence. By conducting a review we could have pointed out that an expert has never been brought into the case for investigation. The case file was sent straight to the Circuit Court for Execution of Sentences without review.” He continued: “Since Saeed Malekpour’s sentence is in the possession of the Circuit Court for Execution of Sentences, this means that they are capable of executing Saeed at any moment they wish.”

Many illegal actions have been taken to condemn Saeed Malekpour to death, including the fact that his lawyers and no other expert has ever reviewed the case. The Iranian authorities want to execute Saeed Malekpour but his case file still possesses discrepancies never investigated. The only evidence used to condemn him to death are hours of false confessions he gave while under physical and psychological torture.

Saeed Malekpour’s sister sent an urgent appeal to the United Nations action center earlier today. The United Nations has not made any comments to date on Saeed Malekpour’s death sentence.

In Canada, human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam said today: "The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister of Canada have been informed on the urgency of this matter and are taking measures calling on the Iranian regime to spare his life. We are hoping for quick action.”

Saeed Malekpour can be illegally executed at any moment unless the international community defends his life.

CONTACT |

Maryam Nayeb Yazdi
Coordinator for the Saeed Malekpour Campaign

Email maryam.nayebyazdi@gmail.com '
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[Vextor]

What the? He got arrested and HANGED for writing a program, which WITHOUT his knowledge was being used for porn, OUTSIDE the country?
He is a Canadian resident, and the program was created outside of Iran.

The world is weird. This is why.

 

[Prorootect]

Hi bb, he was not hanged, is still imprisoned! So still alive, please!
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Canada Calls on Iran to Halt Execution: Foreign Affairs Canada media news: on international.gc.ca: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/02/16d.aspx?view=d

QUOTE:
'February 16, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued the following statement concerning reports that Iran may soon execute Iranian citizen Saeed Malekpour:

“Canada is deeply concerned about reports of the possible imminent execution of Iranian citizen Saeed Malekpour.

“We appeal to the Government of Iran to commute this sentence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Canada is deeply concerned when individuals fail to receive a fair trial, in accordance with international human rights.

“We urge Iran to reverse its current course, and live up to its international human rights obligations.”

Mr. Malekpour has been in prison since 2008.

- 30 -

Today, the House of Commons unanimously endorsed the following motion:

"That this House express its deep concern for the safety of Iranian citizen Saeed Malekpour following reports of his imminent execution; that Canada hold Iran accountable for Mr. Malekpour’s treatment; and that this House call on Iran to reverse its current course, meet its international human rights obligations and release prisoners such as Saeed Malekpour and others who have failed to receive fair and transparent legal treatment.”

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Follow us on Twitter: @DFAIT_MAECI '
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[Gnosis]

ANY EXCUSE TO ABUSE A WESTERNER, or; ANY EXCUSE TO ABUSE ANYONE THAT COMES FROM A REGION THAT THEY ARE SPITEFUL OF.....................That is the Iranian Hierarchy's motto.

 

[Jack]

Behind the closed doors , I'm sure that their are some tough negotiations ... If Iran would've want to kill this guy I'm sure he'll be dead already......
From my point of view Iran is trying to make a prisoner exchange or get themselves another advantage.

 

[Prorootect]

Posted by Jack - Today 08:02 PM:
'Behind the closed doors , I'm sure that their are some tough negotiations ... If Iran would've want to kill this guy I'm sure he'll be dead already......
From my point of view Iran is trying to make a prisoner exchange or get themselves another advantage.'


- I hope, I hope this will be. - IF NOT, ANY EXCUSE. He is innocent, I do not want it to be killed - by these barbarians.

 

[Prorootect]

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Iran using Malekpour as 'pawn in a bloody chess game'

Read more: on ctv.ca: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120220/saeed-malekpour-iran-120220/

'International condemnation has yet to persuade Iran to call off a Canadian resident's imminent execution, fuelling fears that he's being used as a political tool. '

'Human rights activist Maryam Nayeb Yazdi said Iran is trying to make an example of the tech expert who is being held in the notorious Evin prison.

"Saeed Malekpour is being used as a pawn in a bloody chess game," she told CTV's Canada AM on Monday.

Iranian authorities carried out 600 executions in 2011 and imprisoned more journalists and bloggers than any other country, according to a report released by the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Nayeb Yazdi said it isn't a coincidence that Iranian authorities chose to detain Malekpour whose career involves computers and web programming.

"One of the ways that the Iranian regime stays in power is by suppressing any type of information or knowledge in the country," she said in a studio interview in Toronto.

She said lawyers, university students and other "bright-minded people" are often targeted by those loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.'

'Meanwhile, Malekpour remains in a cell in Evin which is controlled by the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Malekpour's family has been allowed to call him for a few minutes once a week and visit once a month, according to Nayeb Yazdi.

"However, it's been 40 days since their last visit and we're not sure what's going on with Saeed right now in prison," she addded.'

- Then read the comments, which come directly from wounded hearts of these people, please ..

Khamenei & Stalin cartoon by Nikahang Kosar:

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